Ding
The Cauldron of Renewal
When you receive Hexagram 50, Ding, the I Ching turns your attention to the cauldron of renewal. The Cauldron. Below is its judgment, its image, and the meaning of each changing line.
The Judgment
The Cauldron. Great progress and success.
Classical (Legge)Ting gives the intimation of great progress and success.
The Image
Wood below, fire above. Ding. The centered one keeps every position correct and maintains secure the appointment of heaven.
Classical (Legge)(The trigrams representing) wood and above them that for fire form Ting. The superior man, in accordance with this, keeps his every position correct, and maintains secure the appointment (of Heaven).
The Changing Lines
The cauldron is overturned and its feet turned upward. It furthers to emptying it of what was bad. Like a concubine whose position is improved by the birth of a son. There will be no error.
Classical (Legge)The caldron is overturned and its feet turned upward. (But) there will be advantage in its being thus emptied of what was bad in it. (Or it is like the case of) a concubine (whose position is improved by the birth of) a son. There will be no error.
The cauldron has things to be cooked in it. If its subject can say, "My enemy dislikes me, but he cannot approach me," there will be good fortune.
Classical (Legge)The caldron has (the things to be cooked) in it. If (its subject) can say, 'My enemy dislikes me, but he cannot approach me,' there will be good fortune.
The ears of the cauldron are changed. He is thereby hindered in his action. The fat flesh of the pheasant in the cauldron will not be eaten. But the gentle rain will come, and the grounds for regret will disappear. There will be good fortune in the end.
Classical (Legge)The ears of the caldron are changed. (Its subject is) thereby hindered in his action. The fat flesh of the pheasant (which is in the caldron) will not be eaten. But the (genial) rain will come, and the grounds for repentance will disappear. There will be good fortune in the end.
The cauldron has its feet broken, and its contents, designed for the ruler's use, are overturned and spilt. Its subject will be made to blush for shame. There will be misfortune.
Classical (Legge)The caldron has its feet broken; and its contents, designed for the ruler's use, are overturned and spilt. Its Subject will be made to blush for shame. There will be evil.
The cauldron has yellow ears and rings of metal in them. There will be advantage through being firm and correct.
Classical (Legge)The caldron has yellow ears and rings of metal in them. There will be advantage through being firm and correct.
The cauldron has rings of jade. There will be great good fortune, and all action taken will be advantageous.
Classical (Legge)The caldron has rings of jade. There will be great good fortune, and all action taken will be advantageous.
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